Miami Marlins Win One of Three Against Phillies: Post Series Grades

Chris O’Grady +.068

Chris O’Grady is what they call “rubber armed.” He appeared in each of Miami’s first three contests this season against the Cubs. In 2 1/3 innings, he allowed a hit and a walk, striking out three. He then appeared in the series opener against the Red Sox, giving up a solo homer and a walk.

A 27-year-old lefty, he was a 10th round selection of the Anaheim Angels in 2012.

O’Grady spent five seasons working his way up through the Angels’ system, starting with the Orem Owls. He later played with the Burlington Bees, the Inland Empire 66ers, the Salt Lake Bees, and the Arkansas Travelers. Despite his travails, he never graduated to the major league level while with the organization.

The Angels released O’Grady in April of 2017, and the Marlins picked him up two weeks later. At the major league level, he went 2-1 with a 4.36 ERA. He started in six of his 13 appearances, and helped himself to a 1.545 WHIP and 30 whiffs in 33 innings in total.

O’Grady didn’t appear in the Phillies opener, but came in for a perfect 1 1/3 innings, closing the fourth by striking out Odubel Herrera and striking out two more in a perfect fifth. Unfortunately, his appearance began and ended with the Marlins trailing by a 17-1 count. The solid performance had almost no bearing on the outcome of the game, so there was not a positive WPA value.

O’Grady pitched the fifth inning in Sunday’s game, and surrendered only a walk to hold the 3-3 tie with the Phillies.